Home Emergency Kit for Dogs and Cats

Drug dosages taken from Veterinary Forum, October 2001

1. Thermometer: Use Vaseline or mineral oil as a lubricant and take the temperature in the rectum.
Normal temperature: DOGS = 100.0 — 102.0, CATS = 101.5 — 102.5

2. Anti-diarrhea: Pepto-Bismol (Bismuth Subsalicylate)
DOGS: 1 ml per 5 pounds up to 4 times per day. Note: May cause dark stools.
CATS: Only use under veterinary supervision.

Imodium A-D (Loperamide 2 mg Tablets or 1 mg/5 ml liquid)
DOGS: 1-2 ml of liquid per 10 pounds or 1-2 tablets per 50 pounds orally up to 3 times
a day.

Kaopectate (Kaolin-pectin)
DOGS: 5-10 ml (1-2 teaspoons) per 10 pounds orally 3-4 times per day.
CATS: Same dose as for dogs.

3) Pain relievers: Buffered Aspirin (325 mg Adult tablets of 65 mg Baby Aspirin)
DOGS: 15 pounds or less — give 1/4 adult or 1 baby aspirin orally once or twice a day
. 15-30 pounds — give 1/2 adult tablet orally once or twice a day.
30 pounds or more — give I adult tablet orally 1-2 times a day!
CATS: Do not use aspirin in cats!

Orudis (Ketoprofen 12.5 mg Tablets)
CAUTION: Use with care in pets with kidney problems!
DOGS: 5-10 pounds — give 1’4 tablet orally once a day.
10-25 pounds — give 1/2 tablet orally once a day.
25-50 pounds — give 1 tablet orally once a day.
Over 50 pounds — give 2 tablets orally once a day.
CATS: 1/4 -1/2 tablet orally once a day.
DO NOT USE Tylenol (‘Acetaminophen), Advil (‘Ibuprofen) or Aleive (Naproxen)!

4) Antacids: Tagamet-HB 2000 (Cimetidine 200 mg Tablets)
DOGS: 10-20 pounds — give 114 tablet orally 2-3 times a day.
20-40 pounds give 1/2 tablet orally 2-3 times a day.
Over 40 pounds — give 1 tablet orally 2-3 times a day.
CATS: Give 1/4 tablet orally 2-3 times a day.

Pepcid AC (Famotidine 10 mg Tablets)
DOGS: Under 10 pounds — give 1/4 tablet orally once or twice a day.
10-20 pounds — give 1/2 tablet orally once or twice a day.
20-40 pounds — give 1 tablet orally 1-2 times a day
Over 40 pounds — give 1 1/2 tablet orally 1-2 times a day.
CATS: Give 172-I tablet orally once a day.

Zantac 75 (Ranitidine 75 mg Tablets)
DOGS: 20-40 pounds — give 1/4 tablet orally 2-3 times a day.
40-70 pounds — give 1/2 tablet orally 2-3 times a day.
Over 70 pounds — give 1 tablet orally 2-3 times a day.
CATS: Only use under veterinary supervision.

5) Antitussives: Robitussin DM (Dextromorphan 10 iTlg/5 ml
DOGS: 2 1/2-5 ml (1/2-1 teaspoon) per 10 pounds orally 3 times a day for cough.
CATS: Only use under veterinary supervision.

6) Antihistamines: Benadryl (Diphenhydramine 25 mg Tablets or 12.5 mg/5 ml liquid)
May cause drowsiness or hyper-excitability!
DOGS: 4-8 ml per 10 pounds or 1-2 tablets per 25 pounds orally 2-3 times a day.
CATS: Same dose as for dogs.

Chlor-Trimeton 4-Hour Allergy (Chiorpheniramine 4 mg Tablets)
DOGS: 1 tablet orally 1-3 times a day.
CATS: 1/2 tablet orally once or twice a day.
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7) Laxatives: Metamucil (Psyllium)
DOGS: 1-6 teaspoons sprinkled on or mixed into food. Give once or twice a day.
CATS: 1/2-1 1/2 teaspoons sprinkled or mixed into food. Give once or twice a day.

Milk of Magnesia (Magnesium hydroxide)
CAUTION: Do not use long term! Do not use in heart patients!
DOGS: 5-10 nfl (1-2 teaspoons) orally once or twice a day.
CATS: 1-5 ml (1/4-1 teaspoon) orally once or twice a day.

Ducolax (Bisacodyl 10 mg Tablets)
CAUTION: Do not use long term! Do not crush tablets!
DOGS: 1-2 tablets orally, or 1-3 pediatric suppositories rectally once a day.
CATS: 1 tablet orally, or 1 pediatric suppository rectally once a day.

Unsweetened canned pumpkin
DOGS: 1-6 teaspoons orally once or twice a day.
CATS: 1-2 teaspoons orally once or twice a day.